Page 56 - 2015 Travel Guide to California

CA.FAMILY FUN
A MOMENT OF CONTEMPLATION in Montgomery Woods
State Natural Reserve, Mendocino, left; the historic Santa Cruz
Beach Boardwalk, middle; ATV fun in Pismo Beach, bottom;
families enjoy Pismo Beach, previous page.
While wildlife is plentiful in California’s
wild spaces, one place to get a guaranteed
close experience is at the Monterey Bay
Aquarium, which inspires conservation of
the ocean with its rich collection of ani-
mals and learning opportunities. But don’t
forget to walk on the beach anywhere in
the state, as the varied habitats are home to
tide pools, places to explore and play and
spy wildlife from migratory birds to ele-
phant seals and whales.
Historical Highlights
History is far from boring in California,
and there’s plenty to go around. It’s evident
in the adobe buildings in Monterey, which
still remain in what was once the capital of
Alta California under Spanish and Mexican
rule. The California Gold Rush brought for-
tune seekers and workers from around the
world to Sacramento and the Sierra
foothills, and a handful of attractions—
from Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park to the
town of Columbia to the ghost town of
Bodie—bring that exciting era to life.
Built up heavily during the Gold Rush,
the city of San Francisco suffered a devas-
tating earthquake and fire in 1906, and the
curious can experience the sustained
tremors at the California Academy of Sci-
ences. The growth of Los Angeles from
fruit orchards to film powerhouse can be
traced at the Natural History Museum of
Los Angeles. The Tech Museum of Innova-
tion in San Jose celebrates inventive
Silicon Valley, inspiring visitors and letting
them make technological creations of their
own. Above all, the history of the entire
state, from life before the explorers to
modern day, can be traced at Oakland’s
Museum of California.
Notable Landmarks
History blends with fun at a wealth of Cal-
ifornia’s landmarks. Rent bicycles in San
Francisco (Blazing Saddles and Bike and
Roll are two popular shops) and ride from
Fisherman’s Wharf through Fort Mason,
the Marina and the Presidio past Crissy
Field. All along the way, you’ll get amazing
views of the Golden Gate Bridge. But why
just look when you can extend your ride
and cross it?
In San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz Island is
the site of the first lighthouse and U.S.-built
fort on the West Coast, as well as the noted
54 2015 T R AV E L G U I D E TO C A L I F O R N I A
MENDOCINO COUNTY CVB; KEN WOLTER/SHUTTERSTOCK; PISMO BEACH CVB. OPPOSITE: LONG BEACH CVB; SANTA CLARA CVB